Longtime residents win Property of the Month

Nov 07, 2023

Jim and Janice Griffith receive the Property of the Month certificate from Louisiana Concerned Citizens President Mike Sherman. Photo by Woodrow Polston

Jim and Janice Griffith, who live on Forest Hills Drive in Louisiana, were delighted to learn that they had been selected as the recipients of the Property of the Month award for June.

The Louisiana Concerned Citizens group, which sponsors the program, presented a sign, a certificate, and a Ruby Slippers Hydrangea that was donated by Stark Bros. Nursery to the winners at their home.

Jim, who takes care of all the maintenance on the property, said that he has added various plants and landscaping projects over the years.

"We have been here since 1979, and I have always taken care of the property, slowly adding more and more plants," he said. "Along the sides of the house are mostly hosta plants and there are also rose bushes and ferns. We have a bush that attracts butterflies at the front of the house and a Japanese maple and leaning dogwood in the front yard," he added.

Approaching the end of the month, members of the Concerned Citizens group canvas each ward looking for the next winner. Properties are judged by overall neatness and curb appeal. For June, the winners were chosen as a result of having a park-like backyard with multiple landscaping features. Janice said that a lot was added after building onto the house.

"We made an addition to the house in 2005 and added a deck and other things in the backyard," she said. "There is a gazebo just off the deck and a pergola down by the street. We have large decorative stones that came from the McDonald Stone Co., as well," she added.

Other features in the backyard include a fire pit, a sitting area and large shade trees. Jim said that he likes to sit and read in the backyard.

"I enjoy reading and meditating down in the pergola when the weather is fair," he said. I have decorative Christian signs around the pergola and it is just a nice place to relax," he said.

Jim retired at Ameren after serving in the Vietnam War, and Janice was a kindergarten teacher in Louisiana for 30 years. Both are well known and respected members of the community.

Doris Henderson, a member of the group, said that the award could not have gone to nicer people.

"They are a great couple and certainly deserve this award," said Henderson. "I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that they had been chosen as the winners for the month of June," she added.

For more information about the Concerned Citizens of Louisiana, you may visit them on their Facebook page.

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